Pluronic F-127 gels incorporating highly purified unsaturated fatty acids for buccal delivery of insulin

The present study investigated the release profiles of insulin from Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) gel containing unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (18:1), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) and the hypoglycemic effect of insulin following the buccal administration of the gel formulations in normal rats. Insulin release from the gels decreased in the presence of unsaturated fatty acids. Remarkable and continuous hypoglycemia was induced by all PF-127 gels (insulin dose, 25 IU/kg) containing unsaturated fatty acids. PF-127 gels containing oleic acid showed the highest pharmacological availability (15.9+/-7.9%). Our finding demonstrate that 20% PF-127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids are potential formulations for the buccal delivery of insulin.

Enhanced rectal absorption of insulin-loaded Pluronic F-127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids

The objective of this study was to prepare and to evaluate Pluronic F-127 (PF127) gel containing unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (18:1), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) as a potential formulation for rectal delivery of insulin. The hypoglycemic effect of insulin was examined following rectal administration of the various formulations in normal rats. Rectal insulin absorption was markedly enhanced, and marked hypoglycemia was induced by all PF127 gels (insulin dose, 5 U/kg) containing different unsaturated fatty acids. PF127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids presented low tmax mean values indicating that the absorption of insulin occurred very rapidly in the rectum. The relative hypoglycemic efficacy of PF127 gel formulations containing fatty acids such as oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) were 28.4+/-8.1, 26.8+/-14.3 and 23.1+/-5.7%, respectively. The finding demonstrated that 20% PF127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids are potential formulations for rectal delivery of insulin.

Enhanced colonic and rectal absorption of insulin using a multiple emulsion containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid

The aim of this study was to test the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on insulin absorption from rat intestinal loops in situ, using a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion. The enhancement effect of these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was compared with that of free fatty acids having a C18 alkyl chain. The emulsion (insulin dose, 50 units/kg) was administered directly into the colonic and rectal loops. Both EPA and DHA strongly enhanced insulin absorption and induced hypoglycemia after colonic and rectal dosing. Comparing the pharmacological availability, the order of effectiveness with respect to the enhanced absorption of insulin was DHA >/= EPA > C18 unsaturated fatty acids >> C18 saturated fatty acid at both sites. DHA showed greater effects upon rectal dosing than upon colonic dosing. Histological studies revealed that the emulsion incorporating DHA did not induce gross morphological changes in the structure of the intestinal mucosa. Our results indicate that a W/O/W multiple emulsion incorporating DHA is a possible means of facilitating the intestinal absorption of insulin without inducing any serious damage to the epithelial cells.

In vivo effects of highly purified docosahexaenoic acid on rectal insulin absorption

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and the toxicity of polyunsaturated fatty acid, such as oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA), as potential absorption enhancer for rectal delivery of insulin, using a water-in-oil-in water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion. In a single administration study, rectal insulin absorption was enhanced markedly, and marked hypoglycemia was induced by the emulsion incorporating various fatty acids in an insulin dose-related fashion. The pharmacological availability of the emulsion incorporating 2% oleic acid, EPA and DHA was approximately 7.7, 11.0 and 25.4%, respectively. The insulin absorption enhancement effect was not increased in proportion to the amount of DHA in the emulsion, the mean T(max) value of the serum glucose-time curve could be extended to twice that of the emulsion without PF 127. In a multiple administration study, the mean AUC(glucose) values of the emulsion incorporating DHA showed almost the same value on the first and the tenth day. From the morphological appearance of the mucosal surface, the emulsion incorporating DHA induced no or little mucosal damage. Our findings demonstrated that DHA has a strong insulin permeability enhancement effect and little toxicity. Thus, DHA is an attractive candidate as an absorption enhancer for intestinal delivery of insulin.

Enhanced enteral bioavailability of vancomycin using water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion incorporating highly purified unsaturated fatty acid

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of an emulsion incorporating unsaturated fatty acids to improve the mucosal absorption of poorly absorbed drugs from rat intestinal loops in situ, using a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion. Vancomycin hydrochloride (VCM) was used as a model drug with low oral bioavailability. The entrapment efficiency of VCM in the emulsion was approximately 60% and remained constant over storage for 1 month at 4 degrees C. The emulsion incorporating C18 unsaturated fatty acids or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) markedly enhanced VCM absorption after colonic and rectal dosing. The effectiveness of DHA on VCM colonic absorption improvement was the same as that of oleic acid, and less than that of linoleic and linolenic acids. For rectal dosing, bioavailability was similar among various emulsions, in the range 40-50%. The effect of the emulsion incorporating oleic acid or DHA on improving VCM enteral bioavailability was not increased proportional to the incorporated amount. The electrical resistance of membranes was not changed by the incorporation of various fatty acids in emulsions. Our results indicated that W/O/W emulsions incorporating C18 unsaturated fatty acid or DHA were useful carriers for improving the absorption of poorly absorbable drugs via the intestinal tract without gross changes to tight junction function.

The dose-related hypoglycemic effects of insulin emulsions incorporating highly purified EPA and DHA

The dose-related pharmacological effects of insulin emulsion incorporating highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were investigated. Water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions (insulin dose, 0, 10, 25 and 50 IU/kg) incorporating 2% DHA or EPA were administered directly into the colonic and rectal loops in situ. Serum insulin levels rose and serum glucose levels decreased in an insulin dose-related fashion. The relationship of insulin dose and C(max) or AUC(insulin) was linear at the rectum, but a non-linear relationship was observed at the colon. The trend was more predominant in DHA. In the in vivo rectal absorption experiment using emulsions incorporating 2% DHA, 5 IU/kg of insulin emulsion produced a rapid, transitory increase in serum insulin levels and strong reduction of serum glucose levels. The pharmacological availability determined from the dose-response curve by s.c. administration of insulin reached 43.2+/-26.3% (mean+/-S.D.). Mucosal irritation caused by administration of emulsions incorporating 2% EPA or DHA was evaluated by a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release study, and compared with those of the emulsion incorporating 2% oleic or linolenic acid. Only when emulsion incorporating 2% oleic acid was applied in the intestine did significant LDH release into the mesenteric veins occur. Our results indicate that emulsion incorporating highly purified long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, especially DHA, has the potential of becoming the formulation for enteral delivery of insulin.

Androgen-dependent and DNA-binding-independent association of androgen receptor with chromatic regions coding androgen-induced noncoding RNAs

Androgen induces the binding of its receptor (AR) to androgen-responsive elements (AREs), while genome-wide studies showed that most androgen-induced AR binding sites on chromatin were unrelated to AREs. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), are transcribed from superenhancers (SEs) and trigger the formation of large ribonucleoprotein condensates of transcription factors. By in silico search, an SE is found to be located on the locus of KLK3 that encodes prostate specific antigen. On the KLK3 SE, androgen-induced expression of ncRNAs was detected and designated as KLK3eRNAs in LNCaP cells, and androgen-induced association of AR and FOXA1 on the KLK3eRNA coding regions was detected. Such androgen-induced association of an AR mutant lacking DNA binding activity on the KLK3eRNA coding regions was undetectable on an exogenous ARE. Thus, the present findings suggest a molecular basis of androgen-induced association of AR with chromatin on ARE-unrelated sequences.

Simple organocatalyst component system for asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction of isatins with enones

A simple two catalyst component system consisting of primary β-amino alcohols as a catalyst and amino acids as a co-catalyst put together works as an efficient organocatalyst system in the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of isatins with enones to afford the chiral spirooxindole-tetrahydropyranones in good chemical yields and stereoselectivities (up to 86%, up to 85 : 15 dr., up to 95% ee).

Profiling of Androgen-Dependent Enhancer RNAs Expression in Human Prostate Tumors: Search for Malignancy Transition Markers

Introduction

Although the ability of androgens to promote prostate cancer development has been known for decades, the molecular mechanisms of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in the tumorigenesis remain unclear. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) transcribed from strong enhancers, or super-enhancers (SEs), have recently emerged as a novel class of regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that facilitate transcription, including that of androgen target genes, through chromatin looping to position enhancers proximate to the promoters. The aim of this study was to assess androgen-dependent transcription in prostate tumors of eRNAs (designated as KLK3eRNAs) from the SE of the KLK3 gene encoding the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein, a clinical marker of prostate carcinogenesis.

Materials and Methods

The androgen-induced KLK3eRNAs were identified in the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line. The expressions of these KLK3eRNAs together with KLK3 and AR mRNA transcripts were assessed by qRT-PCR in prostate tumor samples from five prostate cancer patients.

Results

Androgen-induced KLK3eRNAs have been identified in the LNCaP cells, and their expression was further analyzed in tumors of prostate cancer patients. Transcripts of the tested KLK3eRNAs have been detected in all clinical samples, but their expression patterns differed between individual tumor specimens. We found a statistically significant correlation between the levels of the KLK3 and AR mRNAs with those of the previously reported KLK3eRNAs, while such correlation was not observed for novel KLK3eRNAs described in our recent report.

Conclusion

Presented data suggest that prostate tumor development may associate with epigenetic reorganization in the KLK3 genomic regulatory elements reflected by changes of the KLK3eRNA expression. Our findings support a potential of eRNAs profiling to be used as diagnostic marker.

[COMPLETE RESECTION OF URACHAL CARCINOMA WITH SIGMOID COLON INVASION AFTER FOLFOX CHEMOTHERAPY: A CASE REPORT]

A 45-years-old man presented discharge of abscess from the umbilicus with lower abdominal pain. CT scan showed huge tumor from the bladder to the umbilical part with sigmoid colon invasion. He was diagnosed as urachal carcinoma, which was confirmed by pathological examination. We started FOLFOX chemotherapy according to advanced colon cancer. Approximately 80% of reduction was accomplished after 11 courses of FOLFOX. We performed radical cystectomy with sigmoid colon resection. Pathological examination revealed complete resection with negative surgical margin. No recurrence and metastasis were observed after 30 months of surgery. Urachal carcinoma is often advanced cancer when diagnosed. Effective chemotherapy is not established well. FOLFOX chemotherapy demonstrated the well antitumor effect in this case.

Simple primary β-amino alcohols as organocatalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters to nitroalkenes

Simple primary β-amino alcohols act as an efficient organocatalysts in the asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters with nitroalkenes affording highly pure chiral Michael adducts. Also, both enantiomers of the adducts were obtained, depending on the specific catalyst used and reaction temperature.

Thiourea fused γ-amino alcohol organocatalysts for asymmetric Mannich reaction of β-keto active methylene compounds with imines

Catalytic functionality of new optically active thiourea fused γ-amino alcohols was examined in the asymmetric Mannich reaction of β-keto active methylene compounds with imines to afford chiral Mannich products, β-amino keto compounds, with continuous chiral centers, that are versatile synthetic intermediates for deriving various biologically active compounds. In particular, the thiourea fused γ-amino alcohols showed satisfactory catalytic activity in this reaction and afforded chiral Mannich products in excellent chemical yield (up to 88%) and stereoselectivities (up to syn : anti/93 : 7 dr, up to 99% ee).

Degarelix treatment is compatible with diabetes and antithrombotic therapy in patients with prostate cancer

Introduction

Therapeutically induced androgen deficiency (AD) is a standard treatment for patients with prostate cancer, but it is often associated with various adverse effects (AEs) that may lead to discontinuation. Some AEs may depend on the patient's health condition, while others may be due to complications of the drug delivery method. Degarelix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist widely used for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer. This study aimed to ascertain the following: 1) the compatibility of degarelix treatment with diabetes and 2) any specific causal associations of degarelix injections with increased blood clotting and antithrombotic therapy requirements.

Patients and methods

The medical records of 162 patients with prostate cancer who had undergone degarelix treatment were retrospectively examined. The association of a medical history of diabetes and anticoagulant co-treatment with degarelix treatment discontinuation was analyzed statistically.

Results

Rapid and significant decreases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels during the course of degarelix treatment were detected for patients with prostate cancer regardless of clinical state. During the 27 months of treatment, 68 subjects (48%) ceased degarelix treatment, owing to several reasons, mainly financial issues. Among these subjects, 19 had diabetes, while 35 were treated with antithrombotics. Extensive statistical analysis indicated that there were no causal associations between degarelix treatment discontinuation and preexisting diabetes or antithrombotic therapy.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that preexisting diabetes and antithrombotic therapy were not significant factors for the discontinuation of degarelix treatment in patients with prostate cancer.

New small γ-turn type N-primary amino terminal tripeptide organocatalyst for solvent-free asymmetric aldol reaction of various ketones with aldehydes

New small γ-turn type N-primary amino terminal tripeptides were synthesized and their functionality as an organocatalyst was examined in the asymmetric aldol reaction of various ketones with different aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free neat conditions to afford the desired chiral anti-aldol products in good to excellent chemical yields, diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to 99%, up to syn : anti/13 : 87 dr, up to 99% ee).

Clinical and safety profiles of bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate in saline: a preliminary report

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate in saline (TURisV) is an innovative endoscopic surgical modality for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that vaporizes prostate tissue using a uniquely designed mushroom electrode. TURisV promises instant hemostatic tissue ablation under saline irrigation and offers clinical advantages for endoscopic BPH operations. From July 2008 to February 2009, TURisV was performed in 17 cases with clinically significant BPH. Median operation time was 127.0 min and median volume of vaporized prostate tissue was 41.1 g. Median International Prostate Symptom Score improved from 20 to 4 after 12 months. Median maximum flow rate increased from 5.3 mL/s to 13.8 mL/s after 12 months. Postoperative median residual urine improved from 48.0 mL to 7.0 mL after 12 months. No changes in hemoglobin or electrolyte levels were seen postoperatively. Our results suggest that TURisV is a safe and efficacious treatment for BPH.

Simple amino silyl ether organocatalyst for asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction of isatins with enones

New two catalysts component system comprising of a primary β-amino silyl ethers as an organocatalyst and N-protected amino acids as a co-catalyst put together worked as an efficient organocatalyst system in the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of isatins with enones affording the chiral spirooxindole-tetrahydropyranones in good chemical yields and stereoselectivities (up to 94%, up to dr 78:22., up to 85% ee).

[Septic shock due to fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli after trans-rectal prostate needle biopsy]

A 64-year-old man took levofloxacin 100 mg three times a day from the day before trans-rectal prostate needle biopsy. He suddenly fell into septic shock about 12 hours after the biopsy. We performed polymyxin B-immobilized fiber-direct hemoperfusion treatment at our intensive care unit. The circle dynamics was stable after five days of observation, and he was discharged seven days after the event. Levofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) was detected by blood and urine culture.

New boro amino amide organocatalysts for asymmetric cross aldol reaction of ketones with carbonyl compounds

Distinct types of new boron fused primary amino amide organocatalysts were designed and synthesized from commercially available amino acids. Their catalytic activities were investigated in asymmetric crossed aldol reaction of ketones with aromatic aldehydes to afford the corresponding chiral anti-aldol adducts with good chemical yields, moderate diastereoselectivity and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% yields, up to 90 : 10 dr, up to 94% ee).